Tsuu T’ina Nation reopens ring road talks

“Premier Ed Stelmach says “it’s looking good” that the provincial government and Tsuu T’ina First Nation can strike a deal that would run the southwest Calgary ring road through reserve lands.

Less than two weeks after Tsuu T’ina band members gave Chief Sandford Big Plume the green light to reopen talks with the Alberta government, the premier said he’s confident the band’s concerns over guaranteeing a land swap and other issues can be addressed in a new deal.

“It will be looking at a number of issues that perhaps we couldn’t resolve before,” Stelmach told reporters Monday at his final Stampede premier’s breakfast at McDougall Centre.

Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette is already meeting with the chief and things are “moving along quite well,” noted the premier, who is prepared to sit down with the Big Plume on the negotiations.

“It’s looking good and I sure would like to get that completed before I leave,” added Stelmach, who will resign as Tory leader on Oct. 1.”